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Dec 2023
19m 33s

Calendar Tetris

37signals
About this episode

Ever find yourself trapped in a game of "Calendar Tetris," where each meeting block interrupts the natural flow of your day, leaving you little room for meaningful work?

Today on Rework, host Kimberly Rhodes sits down with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson to discuss the pitfalls of modern scheduling tools and their impact on productivity from their book, It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work. 

Listen in as they walk listeners through scheduling at 37signals, where they don't share calendars, and everyone is in control of their own time. 

Plus, tune in for a sneak peek of the upcoming HEY Calendar, with innovative features designed to empower you to regain control of your time.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Learn the biggest problem with calendar Tetris and how these small, disjointed chunks hinder individual productivity and focus.
  • Conversation over convenience - why actively asking for someone's time through conversation helps to foster intentionality (and reduces unnecessary meetings).
  • Explore how 37signals redefines scheduling to empower individuals with full control over their time.
  • Learn how the strategic introduction of scheduling friction prevents a culture of excessive meetings, fostering a shift toward asynchronous work.
  • Discover a work culture where meetings are optional, highlighting the significance of prioritizing tasks with personal meaning.
  • HEY is introducing a calendar! Just as the 37signals team revolutionized email, they've now transformed calendaring for 2024.

Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X (formerly known as Twitter).

If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode. 

Links and Resources:

From David's HEY World: Just let me do my job 

From Jason's LinkedIn: What my calendar looks like 

It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work 

Books by 37signals

Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com

HEY World | HEY 

The REWORK podcast

The Rework Podcast on YouTube

The 37signals Dev Blog

37signals on YouTube

The Rework Podcast on YouTube

@37signals on X 

37signals on LinkedIn 




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